BMW R 1200 GS (K50) versus Benelli Leoncino 500

BMW R 1200 GS (K50)

Adventure

Benelli Leoncino 500

Naked

The rally version of the BMW 1200 GS - not just pretty to look at.

Wild Bavarian woman in a smart rally dirndl The BMW R 1200 GS was a particularly eagerly awaited test object for us. And not only because the GS gave hope for numerous interested parties for our test report due to its popularity. No, above all, we were all really keen on... weiter

BMW R 1200 GS Rallye

Gallery

What can the 48 hp retro naked bike in Italo design do?

The Benelli Leoncino 500 is an A2 bike in retro scrambler design. There are not many of this type of motorcycles and certainly not for less than 6,000 euros. We have the bike designed in Italy and manufactured in China under the wheels... weiter

Benelli Leoncino 500 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2013 bis 2018

Built von 2018 bis 2024~

RRP 15.300 €

RRP 5.990 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

has neat Wums
extensive electronic helpers
significantly more off-road capability than the standard version of the GS

Pros:

manoeuvrable and bustling bike
easy to use
comfortable upright sitting position
You don't need an instruction manual

Cons:

Price mainly with full equipment

Cons:

starts only when idle
Sound could be better
Bench a bit tight

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.507 mm
Length : 2.207 mm Height : 1.412 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 244 (max: 460 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.460 mm
Length : 2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 207 (max: 397 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Motor design: R2 cylinder, 4 valves/cylinder, 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 500 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 69 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 219 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.700 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 403 km

Performance: 48 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 46 NM bei 6.000 U/Min

Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 302 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Bridges, motor supporting (steel)

Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 37 mm (travel 190 mm)
Front suspension:
Shock

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 120/70 R 19
Rear tyres: 170/60 R 17

Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)

Front suspension:
adjustable upside down fork Ø 50mm (travel 125 mm)

Rear suspension:
adjustable central strut (travel 128 mm)
Rear suspension:
Double tube profile swingarm

Tyres at the front: 120/70 - 17
Rear tyres: 160/60 - 17

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 376 mm)

Front brake
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

No, our high expectations were by no means disappointed – not even a bit! The R 1200 GS Rally not only made us very good, but it makes it really difficult for us to find criticisms. Well, it's quite expensive. But quality has a price. And if you look at the prices on the second-hand market, you have to say that gs keeps its value quite long. In addition, it is of course up to everyone to decide whether they really need all the equipment packages. Clearly all do their tasks reliably and well, however, drive up the price again neatly. And already in the basic equipment we have to deal with a mature, great bike!

Conclusion - what sticks

The Benelli Leoncino 500 pretty much met our expectations. It is manoeuvrable and is therefore a lot of fun in city traffic. The maintenance interval of 7,000 km is a bit tight, but once a year you should have your bike checked anyway.

The price for the machine is fine. As a competitor, we can only think of the Brixton Crossfire 500, which is slightly more expensive. The Honda CB 500 F has no retro bonds, must also be mentioned here as a 500cc classic (felt since the seventies) and as an extremely reliable bike, especially since it is not more expensive than the Benelli.

The test bike was provided by Legenday Cycles in Hamburg. There, the Benelli Leoncino 500 stands as a demonstrator and waits eagerly for more test riders. If you are looking for an A2 bike, style and want retro-naked scrambler design: Check it out.